Australian HIV survey begins

The seventh national HIV Futures survey of Australian people living with HIV (PLHIV) is underway.

Conducted by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, the HIV Futures survey has been run every two to three years since 1997, attracting responses from around 1000 PLHIV each time.

The survey covers all aspects of living with HIV, including health, treatments, work, relationships and financial situation.

It’s conducted to provide information to PLHIV, community organisations, service providers, doctors and governments about the actual experience of living with HIV and the current needs of PLHIV.

Lead researcher on the project Dr Jeffrey Grierson said past survey results have seen some positive developments over time in the experience of living with HIV.

“We encourage PLHIV of all backgrounds to complete the survey to ensure their experiences are represented in the study findings,” he said.

The survey is open until January 15, is anonymous and can be completed at www.hivfutures.org.au or via a hard-copy survey booklet. To receive the booklet, call 1800 064 398 or email hivfutures@latrobe.edu.au